Product: CopperReach

CopperReach supports two essential services for outdoor and remote networks of electronic devices:

• Network Power
• Ethernet data using Fiber or Copper (DSL) backhaul

CopperReach is a voltage converter with an optional integrated DSL or fiber optic media converter that provides a simple, scalable, and low cost solution to the problem of delivering reliable power and Internet broadband connectivity to field mounted electronic equipment. For outdoor Wireless Access Points, outdoor surveillance cameras, traffic control devices, electronic displays, or any other outdoor equipment needing easily installed reliable power and/or Internet connectivity, CopperReach can provide network line power and optional Ethernet in a variety of options using twisted pair telephone lines to deliver reliable power. It provides power options for:

• AC power (up to 100 watts)
• DC power (up to 120 watts), direct or PoE
• Combined AC and DC power (up to 100 watts)

Network line powered backhaul from remote or outdoor devices is supported with both DSL and fiber media options. The hardened field enclosure is customer accessible via a lockable customer access compartment, and is designed to operate in harsh weather conditions. Ground visible LED's support field troubleshooting, centralized management and configuration, as wells as remote power down/up, reduces maintenance costs.

CopperReach 1000 and 2000 Series Data Sheet

Description

CopperReach from Generonix Inc. is a strand, pole, or wall mounted device that supports the rapid and low cost deployment of municipal wireless networks, surveillance cameras, multi-dwelling unit network access, and other outdoor network line powered devices. Based on patented technology, it uses the existing copper network infrastructure to bring standard power and optional Ethernet connectivity to wireless access points, allowing a local exchange carrier, wireless Internet service provider, or municipality to deploy a variety of outdoor devices in their network without using AC mains power.

CopperReach comes in a variety of options, depending on the choice of access point powering and backhaul technology:

• AC or DC power only - Provides reliable battery backed AC or DC network-based power to remote devices, outdoors or in remote environments. It eliminates the need to tap street lamps, negotiate with the power company, install expensive meters, or install and maintain batteries in the field.
• Ethernet data option - Provides Ethernet data using DSL with an embedded gateway or using Fiber with an embedded fiber media converter.
• PoE power option - Provides reliable battery backed network-based line power and (optionally) Ethernet data over an 802.3af connector and cat5 cable.

Applications

CopperReach may be used to provide reliable battery backed power to remote or outdoor locations without requiring field meters, batteries, or attachment to utility power. Where DSL or Fiber is deployed, it will also provide Ethernet connectivity. Thus it is suitable for a wide number of applications:

• Municipal Wi-Fi
• Enterprise WLAN Extension in warehouse and outdoor locations
• Emergency Networks
• Surveillance Networks
• Direct Short Range Communications (DSRC) for roads and vehicles, rural, and non-rural
• Wireless VOIP and UMA
• Wireless IP Video
• Location Based Services
• Power for DSLAMs
• Common power for multi-residential fiber networks

Wi-Fi network example

CopperReach is suitable for a muni Wi-Fi network, with integrated surveillance cameras, providing common municipal services for a town that may not have large amounts of ready fiber in the streets. CopperReach field units would be typically deployed on aerial strands between telephone poles, connected to twisted pair copper lines that run back to the central office.

In the central office, one or two twisted line pairs convey DC power to the CopperReach strand mounted outdoor device. Optionally, another DSL line carries IP data from the central office digital subscriber loop access module (DSLAM). Each CopperReach field unit converts the power to 48 volt DC,110 volt AC, or PoE, and provides both power and Ethernet to an 802.11 hardened outdoor AP via a PoE cable. Note that other types of PoE devices, such as surveillance cameras, and wireless bridges that extend access in places where DSL may not be available, can be supported as well. This example shows CopperReach in a hybrid DSL network and Fiber Optic Network, providing power and Ethernet connectivity for remote or outdoor wireless access points.

Rapid Deployment

CopperReach with network power and DSL backhaul can be more rapidly deployed than solutions requiring AC mains powered equipment and fiber or other backhaul technology, since:

• For companies with existing DSL service offerings, the back office is all ready established, and DSL lines can be added and activated as a normal part of operations.
• There are fewer negotiations for attachment rights to streetlights, no expensive AC installation, no meters, no AC billing, no batteries.
• Only a single truck-roll for power and network access using LEC technicians is required to deploy equipment ~24 feet in air for optimal Wi-Fi positioning.
• You can deploy it anywhere copper pairs exist, which maps fairly well to population density and inhabitation.

Reliable, Easily Available, and Low-Cost Network Power

The power is provided as reliable DC over existing copper pair lines:

• AC or DC is installed without metering or power company billing.
• Mounting on AC powered street lamps is not required; you can use strand or pole or building mounting depending on your wireless and backhaul needs.
• Power survives AC mains outage.
• No field battery installation or maintenance is required.

Significant Operational Benefits

Network operations are unified with DSL operations:

• This leverages existing DSL networks, increasing DSL deployment volume and reducing all DSL per line costs.
• Smooth growth is provided in small increments of one Access Point and one DSL line at a time.
• Existing copper follows business/residential density, which simplifies network planning.
• No new NOC or separate POP into the Internet is required; Training, Support, Billing, Maintenance, and Customer Service are all ready in place for DSL.
• Note that a CopperReach field unit can be rebooted by toggling the power from the CO; AC mains based equipment requires a truck roll for a manual reset.
• No field battery installation or replacement is required.

Cost Advantages

CopperReach results in significantly reduced capital and operational expenses.It supports incremental growth with low initial investment. It leverages existing networks, and uses copper that is currently going unused. It is cost effective for both dense large urban municipalities, and suburban and rural towns and villages.